Last Sunday, Air Canada made a surprising announcement: its plans to resume limited flights were put on hold after flight attendants rejected a government back-to-work order. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) had been directed by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to return to work, but CUPE told its members to keep striking. 🚫✈️
As a result, about 240 flights scheduled from Sunday afternoon were canceled. Normally, Air Canada and its subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, operate around 700 daily flights. That means around a third of the airline’s schedule was grounded. 😲
Here's a quick breakdown of what led to this ground stop:
- Government Intervention: Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu used her power under the Canada Labour Code to order the CIRB to step in and arbitrate the dispute.
- Eight Months of Talks: Negotiations with CUPE covered pay raises, ground pay, pensions, benefits, and crew rest—but no deal was reached.
Air Canada says it plans to pick up operations again on Monday evening, hoping the CIRB’s arbitration will break the deadlock. Until then, travelers will need to stay tuned for updates and keep an eye on their flight status. 👀
For many young entrepreneurs and globetrotting students, this strike is a reminder of how labor disputes can ripple across industries and impact plans. Will CUPE and Air Canada strike a deal soon, or will the skies stay quiet a bit longer? Stay with us for the latest! 🌎💼
Reference(s):
Air Canada suspends restart plans as flight attendants continue strike
cgtn.com
